Recap: Spurs 134, Rockets 126 (OT)

Summing it up: Where to start? The first triple-double of Tony Parker’s career? Gary Neal’s career-best 29 points? Another fourth-quarter comeback? The return of Linsanity? A sluggish first quarter gave no indication of the show that was to come, with the Spurs riding their backcourt out of a late nine-point deficit and surging past Jeremy Lin and the Rockets for their ninth victory in 11 games in which they’d been down or tied entering the fourth quarter.

Player of the game: So many deserving candidates. On virtually any other night, Lin would have been the clear-cut choice with 38 points in the injured James Harden’s stead. Parker, however, was simply sublime, racking up 27 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists for his first triple-double in 826 career regular-season games. He scored seven over the final seven minutes of regulation, including a rare 3-pointer, to help force OT.

Play of the game: In a game filled with ridiculous offensive performances — for good measure, Omer Asik also set a career-high with 21 points — it was a defensive play that made the biggest difference. With the game tied at 120 in the final 30 seconds, the Rockets elected to turn Lin loose one-on-one for the go-head shot. Not a bad strategy considering how hot he’d been. But Danny Green had other ideas, keeping Lin outside the 3-point arc and poking the ball free to force a 24-second violation and preserve the tie.

Continuation

* Tim Duncan finally played like a 36-year-old, missing eight of nine shots and getting stripped while driving to the rim for the game-winning shot on the final play of regulation. But the future Hall of Famer still made his presence felt, putting up 10 points and 13 rebounds for his 12th double-double this season and 743th of his career.

* Not to be outdone by Parker and Neal, Manu Ginobili had one of his best games of the season with 22 points, five rebounds and six assists. He scored or assisted on eight of San Antonio’s first 10 points in OT, including a vintage how-did-he-make-that layup for a three-point play that put the Spurs up by eight. The three guards combined to score 78 points on 27-for-48 shooting. Parker and Ginobili had a total of 18 assists against only five turnovers.

* It probably wasn’t a coincidence that Lin, who hadn’t even played in the fourth quarter of the previous three games, enjoyed his best performance as a Rocket with Harden sitting on the bench. Able to occupy as much of the ball as he wanted, Lin made the most of the opportunity, firing up 21 shots while getting to the line 12 times after averaging just 10 and two while playing next to Harden.

* The Spurs are the first team to 18 victories. They improved their league-best road record to 11-2. They’ve won 31 of 36 road games dating back to last season.

* Monday’s classic did have one small blemish. Matt Bonner didn’t dunk.

* Fake Coach Pop’s assessment:

Tony Parker messed around and got a triple double & Stephen Jackson didn’t threaten to use his AK. Twas a good day.